Dallas Braden of the A’s just pitched the 19th perfect game in MLB history.
Gotta love baseball…the only game where the defense controls the ball and the only game where a perfect game is when nothing happens.
Unlike casual fans, a real baseball fan knows that home runs aren’t nearly as exciting as a beautiful diving catch or sharp double play. The most exciting things in baseball don’t show up on the scoreboard.
I take it this was a joke. Of course, all kinds of things can (and usually do) happen in perfect games–with the exception of walks and hits.
But every perfect game (indeed, every no-hitter) I’ve watched or heard about has involved a couple tremendous defensive plays.
As mentioned in the MLB: May thread, that’s the second perfecto against the Rays in about half a season.
The cricket supporters on this board might wish to discuss that with you, if they even open this thread.
Take THAT A Rod.
Well, or baserunners by means of HBP or fielding error.
We really should talk about perfectos by the whole defensive team, rather than just as pitching accomplishments.
I wish the video highlights (on mlb.com, eg) would show more of these sorts of things.
True, that. I was lucky enough to be at Kenny Rogers’ perfect game, and it required a crazy great diving catch by Rusty Greer (IIRC it was in the 9th, but the whole thing’s something of a blur now).
I really don’t think this is true. I’m a huge baseball fan; my wife is lukewarm, at best, about the game, although she does like an occasional trip to the park. If i’m watching the highlights on TV and she happens to be there, or if we’re at a game together, she’s usually considerably more impressed by a great catch or a double play than she is by a home run.
Anyway, great effort by Braden. Of course, any pitcher who manages to pitch a complete game and restrict the opposing hitters to fewer than 3 or 4 base runners has done an amazing job. Beyond that, i think most no-hitters and perfect games are as much the result of luck and fielding as they are about pitching. Buehrle’s perfect game against the Rays last year was saved in the ninth by Dwayne Wise’s amazing grab; had Wise not made that play, Buehrle would have lost the Perfect Game, the No-Nitter, and the Shutout all in one go, because that ball was over the top of the fence when Wise grabbed it.
Oh, jeez. :rolleyes: Does this mean we’re gonna have to hear this career 17-23 nit wit talk about never before heard of “unwritten rules of baseball” for another few weeks.
I don’t understand the reference…
There are two “unwritten rules” about no-hitters in progress: The pitcher’s teammates don’t talk to him or even look at him if possible, and nobody, fans and announcers included, says the word “no hitter” (or “perfect game” if that’s what it is).
Did one of them get violated and Braden survived it anyway?
No, nothing to do with that.
It has to do with an incident involving Braden and Alex Rodriguez a few weeks ago, when Rodriguez apparently jogged across the pitcher’s mound during the game, returning to first base after a foul ball. Braden took umbrage, declaring that this was a violation of the game’s unwritten rules.
ESPN has killed many no-hitters. Seriously, I’ve seen at least half a dozen occasions where they cut to a game in progvress, described as a “no-hitter through [whatever inning],” and the very next batter broke it up.
Early in the season he threw a hissy fit because A-Rod crossed the mound on the way back to the dugout after being retired at 3rd (i.e. A-Rod took the shortest path from 3rd base to the dugout). He started yelling at A-Rod, “That’s my mound. Don’t go near my mound.”* After the game he claimed that that was one of the “unwritten rules of Baseball”, you don’t go near the opposing pitchers mound. I didn’t hear of many people in baseball who agreed with him. Link
Last week he tried to get more press by saying,
He’s an insecure, posturing, white trash punk with mediocre talent trying to make a name for himself and this will only add fuel to his inflated ego.
*I find it funny that this hardened boy out of Stockton who might have to “go to knuckles” to settle things with A-Rod was walking away and had his back turned when he stood up for the game.
No, they haven’t. That sort of superstition is just silly.
Lighten up, Francis.
I’m betting you’re a Yankee fan.
I am, it’s the only reasonable choice for someone from NY;). But I’m not a fan of the media fueled male posturing BS in the game. If you’re upset about something, hit the guy the next time you see him. Don’t go on the radio saying things will have to go to knuckles the next time you meet up because that’s how things are handled in The 207.
did you feel this way when Roger threw the bat at Piazza??
Pitchers have historically felt that way about their mounds.. trust me.. AROD wouldn't have done that with Bob gibson..Roger is an asshole. Never felt otherwise.
I have never heard anyone in baseball state that not crossing the pitchers mound is an unwritten rule. Other pitchers, like Bob Gibson, may feel that way and would drill an opposing player who crossed “their” mound and that would be the end of it. They wouldn’t be on talk radio almost a month after the incident (and a month before the next meeting) talking about going to knuckles.
Players, leave it in the clubhouse and on the field. Media, stop trying to stir shit just to sell a few papers. That’s all I’m asking, which was why my first post was a lamentation that we’re going to have to hear stories about this nit wit for another 15 minutes.
And perfect game or no, Dallas Braden is no Bob Gibson.